Keeping your home warm

Try to keep your home at a constant temperature, especially upstairs. If you are out during the day, try to keep it warm for your return.

UK heating systems are designed to work up to a temperature of -1 degree Centigrade. That means they will generally not be fully effective in lower temperatures.

If heating problems persist once temperatures rise above 2 degrees Centigrade, please contact MITIE on 0800 121 7722 or  01689 806 001, and they will be able to make an assessment.

Home warmth advice

  • Set your thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF) and heat all the rooms you use in the day.
  • If you can’t heat all your rooms make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed.
  • Try to keep the temperature  above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom overnight.
  • Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed.
  • In very cold weather, rather than turn the thermostat up, set the heating to come on earlier so you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up.

Going away from home

If you are going away, even just for one night and the weather’s cold, turn off the water at the main stopcock and drain the system by turning on the taps.

If you have frozen pipes

  • Check the main stopcock can be turned off when the pipes thaw in case of burst pipes and leaks.
  • Turn off the main stopcock when you are not using the drinking water.
  • Open the loft hatch if your water tank is in the roof – this will help it to thaw.
  • Put on your fire if you have a solid fuel back fired boiler. This reduces the risk of damage.
  • Switch off your immersion heater if you have one.
  • Do not use hot water taps until the plumbing system has completed thawed. This will prevent damaging hot water cylinder.
  • Do not try to clear airlocks or get water back until the system is completely thawed, as tanks, pipes or overflows may still be frozen in the loft and you could flood your home.

If you have burst pipes

  • Turn off the water at the main stopcock.
  • Turn off back boilers and immersion heaters. Gas- fired back boiler can be used, but only as gas fires.
  • Drain your water tank but only by turning the cold water taps on.
  • Wrap cloth tightly around any leaks and phone us on 020 8080 6587.
  • Turn off the electricity at the mains if water has touched the electrics and ask us to check them before switching them back on.
  • Do not turn on hot water taps when draining tanks if you have a copper hot water cylinder.